Holidays in Iringa

It's not beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Sun is shining, there is no snow, and I am still wearing tank tops! But we did have a holiday party this weekend. We celebrated with all the peace corps workers who are really nice and friendly. It was really nice. I had a dress made out of katanga fabric which is used a lot around here. The dress had red and green in it so I figured it was pretty festive! I also went to a holiday church service last week. Some of my students performed a holiday play and we sang Christmas songs. We also had a class party the last day of term. We had snacks, listened to music, and played some equivalent fraction bingo.
During our first term in school we also had a service day. I took a group of students to a local orphanage. We had to walk 2 miles to get to the orphanage but it was really nice once we got there. Students from my school taught some of the orphans how to do a puzzle, how to bead a necklace, they read to them, and played football (soccer).
School is finally out and I made it through my first term. I love the kids but I am really happy to have a break. I am getting super excited to have Emily here so soon! We have a trip to Zanzibar planned and she will also go on a safari. I also have a lot of work for her in the classroom; she can do all my laminating for me and cleaning out my closet! Fun, fun, fun.
This weekend I travelled to Moshi. It was a long journey but it is nice to see a new area of Tanzania. If the clouds clear up I should be able to see the top of Kilimanjaro since we are pretty close to Arusha. They also have bagels here! I had one for breakfast and it was wonderful.
I hope everyone has a really nice holiday at home! Wish I could be with family, but I have a great new family of friends here so I will be fine (really mom, I'll be ok! )

He sure could climb!

Notice the little boy wearing snowpants! (It was about 90 degrees on this day)

First time ever seeing a puzzle.